To convert the Cartesian equation involving x and y into polar form, we use the relationships between Cartesian and polar coordinates:
- x = r * cos(θ)
- y = r * sin(θ)
- r = √(x² + y²)
Let’s assume you have an equation in the form of f(x, y) = k. To convert this equation to polar form, follow these steps:
- Substitute x and y in terms of r and θ.
- Replace any constants or coefficients as necessary with their polar equivalents.
- Simplify the equation to express it solely in terms of r and θ.
For instance, if we start with the equation x² + y² = 64, it can be rewritten in polar form as:
r² = 64
Taking the square root gives:
r = 8
This is the polar form of the original equation, indicating a circle of radius 8 centered at the origin in the polar coordinate system.